Learning objectives
This course aims to give the student the ability to:
- acquire the basic principles of biological sciences and methods.
- learn and apply an evolutionary logic and perspective to interpreting the biological phenomena at different levels of organization (molecular, cellular, organismic)
- understand the correlation between structure and function at the different organizational levels.
- Appraise the implication of human evolution for the bio-medical research
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The purpose of this course is to give a general overview of biological concepts and mechanisms in an evolutionary persèective and to gain an appreciation of the importance that biology plays in understanding human health.
Full programme
1- What is biology?
• Definition of biology
• Fundamental concepts of biology: uniqueness and diversity of living beings, relationship between structure and function, emergent properties, information transmission
2- The scientific method
• Importance of sampling and experimental models
• Reductionist approach vs. systems biology
• Preconceptions and double-blind studies
3- Unity and diversity of living beings
• Tree of life and distinction between kingdoms
• Differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes
• Introduction to comparative embryology
• Biological organization
4- The eukaryotic cell: description of the structure and function of the various organelles
5- Cell membranes and communication
• Structure and function of cell membranes
6- Mechanisms of cellular transport and communication
7- Cell division and cell cycle
• Phases of the cell cycle
• Mechanisms of cell division control
8- Basics of genetics
• Introduction to the structure and function of DNA, and the structure of chromosomes
9- Principles of heredity and Mendelian genetics
10- Evolution of upright posture
• Genes and evolution
• Basics of evolution: Darwin
• From quadrupeds to bipeds: Anatomical and physiological adaptations and evolutionary implications of upright posture
Bibliography
Principi di Biologia. Sadava et al., ZANICHELLI
Elementi di Biologia. Solomon et al., EDISES
Fondamenti di Biologia Solomon et al., EDISES
Le basi della biologia. Curtis, et al.. ZANICHELLI
Teaching methods
During classroom lectures I will illustrate and discuss the state of the art, concepts and experiments in the specific issue of biology. The lectures will be interactive, and students are strongly encouraged to ask questions and insert comments.
The lessons will be mainly interactive and performed using PowerPoint slides. The slides used to support the lectures will be uploaded at the end of the lecture on Elly.
Assessment methods and criteria
A written exam will be conducted, consisting of 10 multiple-choice quizzes with a maximum score of 1.5 points per question and 3 open-ended questions with a maximum score of 5 points per question. The exam will be held simultaneously with those of the other subjects in the integrated course.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
Health and wellness;
Gender equality;
Life on earth.
